A Shocking Confession on Late Night TV
Sophie Turner, best known as Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones, surprised fans with a candid revelation during her appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers on August 14. She shared that kissing her longtime co-star Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, in their upcoming gothic horror film The Dreadful was nothing short of “vile.”
Turner explained in vivid detail how uncomfortable the moment was, describing it as “the worst.” The remark quickly caught attention online because of the duo’s deep history of portraying siblings over eight seasons. To emphasize her discomfort, Turner even compared the kiss to being covered in cockroaches for another film, admitting the kiss was far worse.
Sansa and Jon Snow: A Lasting Sibling Bond
The awkwardness of this scene is rooted in the enduring sibling dynamic Turner and Harington developed on Game of Thrones. For much of the series, their characters believed themselves to be half-siblings and grew up together in Winterfell, creating a bond that felt genuinely familial to both the actors and fans. Even after the show revealed Jon Snow was technically Sansa’s cousin, their relationship was always portrayed as one of loyalty and shared hardship.
That sense of family did not fade when the cameras stopped rolling. Turner has repeatedly emphasized that her off-screen relationship with Harington remains sibling-like, which made the leap into romance for The Dreadful uniquely difficult for both of them.
Casting Her “Brother”
Turner’s role in The Dreadful extended beyond acting, as she also served as a producer. She admitted that when the director asked her who should play the male lead, her immediate thought was Harington. She sent him the script, and while he agreed, his first reaction was telling: “Yeah, I’d love to, but this is going to be really… weird, Soph.”
Turner initially did not understand his hesitation, until a closer look at the script revealed a string of intimate stage directions. “Kiss, kiss, sex, kiss, sex,” she recalled, adding with exasperation, “And then I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot, that’s my brother.’”
On-Set Reactions
When it came time to film, the discomfort was impossible to ignore. Turner described the moment bluntly: “We get on set and it’s the first kissing scene, and we are both retching.” Their reactions highlighted just how ingrained their sibling bond had become, making professional intimacy almost unbearable. Turner reiterated, “Like, really, it is vile. It was the worst.”
The irony of the situation is that Turner herself had helped create this challenge by casting Harington, leading her to joke that she only had herself to blame for the awkward on-screen reunion.
Why They Took the Roles Anyway
Despite the unease, Turner and Harington agreed the script was too strong to ignore. Turner noted during her interview that the material, written and directed by Natasha Kermani, was “such a good script” that both actors felt they had to commit. Their willingness to push through personal discomfort reflects a dedication to storytelling that fans admire.
A Gothic Horror Tale
The Dreadful is a gothic horror set in the 15th century. Turner plays Anne, who lives on the fringes of society with her mother-in-law Morwen, portrayed by Marcia Gay Harden. Their isolated lives are disrupted when a man from their past, Jago—played by Harington—returns, sparking events that change everything.
The setting during the War of the Roses gives the film a historical foundation that resonates with Game of Thrones fans, since that conflict was one of George R.R. Martin’s inspirations for his epic saga.
A Strong Supporting Cast
Beyond Turner and Harington, the cast includes Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden as Morwen, as well as Laurence O’Fuarain and Jonathan Howard. The ensemble adds further depth to what promises to be an atmospheric and haunting story.
When to Expect the Release
The film entered post-production in January, though no official release date has been announced. This stage of development suggests that audiences may not have to wait too long before seeing Turner and Harington’s much-discussed reunion on screen.
A Reunion to Remember
What began as a casting choice by Turner evolved into one of the most unexpectedly awkward moments of her career. Yet it also highlights the strong professional bond she and Harington share. For audiences, The Dreadful offers both a chilling gothic horror and a reunion of two actors whose chemistry has long fascinated viewers. Whether fans tune in for the story, the history, or simply curiosity about the infamous “vile” kiss, this film is certain to draw attention.
